Maria Jose Hernandez Kiesling, anchor of Guatemalas national television network Guatevision and considered the Guatemalas Katie Couric, visited the Alexandria Police Department and Sheriffs Office Monday, getting a first-hand look as to how the city police battle crime and the sheriffs office manages prisoners and jail life.

Kiesling and her videographer Maria Jose were part of a U. S. State Department international exchange program and were brought to Alexandria by resident William McGuire, escort producer for the Office of Broadcast Services.

The journalists participated in a police ride-a-long and talks from key police officials after their trips to Los Angeles and Denver police departments.

At the Alexandria Sheriffs Office, Sgt. Monique Rea explained how inmates are handled, beginning with the arrests and booking procedures. They had never seen the inside of a jail and Rea showed them cells, medical and mental health units and other facilities.